The-Laker-Issue3-Fall-2020

Ed Kennedy: Longest-serving professor Ed Kennedy retired in late summer from teaching psychology, but that’s not what he says he’s been doing for the last 51 years. “I was more of a history teacher of the self,” Ed explained. “I have always been interested in helping students look at their thinking and why they think the way they do.” For example, he would challenge them to think of a memory — perhaps from first grade — and ask themselves how that memory played out in their thinking. With 100 semesters of teaching eight or nine classes, Ed estimates he has taught roughly 20,000 students, enough to make any dinner out or trip to Wal-Mart a reunion: “People come up and say, ‘I have never forgotten what you taught me.’” He started teaching as an adjunct instructor in 1969 under founding president Roy Satre. “I had the privilege of serving under all of the presidents, and every president I served under was the right person at the right time,” he said. Having turned 85 this year, Ed had made the decision to retire before the pandemic. He is not putting his feet up, though. He would like to return to the ministry, when churches resume more in-person gatherings. The Rev. Kennedy served as pastor of the Rushville Congregational Church for 49 years, having stepped down during his late wife’s illness several years ago. His dual vocation made him a natural choice for the many invocations and benedictions during commencement, nursing advancement and other solemn occasions. He leaves with gratitude for his fellow faculty, the professional staff and leaders on the board of trustees and at the county. “There is not one thing I ever disliked in the College,” he said. “I’ve been blessed for 50 years. I have never regretted a day that I walked into the building at FLCC.” NSF grants to fund research, instruction This year, the College has been awarded nearly $200,000 in National Science Foundation grants to create an undergraduate research guide and to study methods for extracting mushroom sugars in partnership with a Henrietta company. The most recent award, for $141,000, covers faculty and students in collaboration with Empire Medicinals to find the most effective way to produce complex polysaccharides, or sugars, from mycelium, the fibrous root-like parts of mushrooms that are often below ground or in trees. “This is a great opportunity for students to work with an industry partner and learn how to set up experiments,” said FLCC professor James Hewlett, coordinator of the college’s biotechnology program. “For the College, it could lead to more partnerships and long-term partnerships with industry.” Earlier this year, FLCC received a $49,000 grant to create a how-to guide for community colleges interested in launching undergraduate research. FLCC has received about $7 million in National Science Foundation funding since 2006 for its ongoing work to develop its undergraduate research programs and to help other community colleges do the same. Deals inked with partner colleges FLCC has teamed up with three area colleges to provide greater opportunities and seamless transfer. Earlier this year, President Robert Nye and Keuka President Amy Storey signed a dual admission and general transfer agreement, allowing graduates from FLCC’s health care studies associate degree program to move seamlessly into Keuka College’s community health and wellness bachelor’s program. Another agreement, with Roberts Wesleyan College, allows for seamless transfer from several FLCC associate degree programs into Roberts Wesleyan’s Pathway to Teaching bachelor’s degree program. And, the agreement with SUNY Empire State College provides guaranteed admission of FLCC networking and cybersecurity graduates into SUNY Empire’s new bachelor of science in security studies program. the LAKER | 13 The Rev. Dr. Edward Kennedy, shown at the 2015 commencement, has given invocations and benedictions at many FLCC ceremonies over his 51-year career.